An Economy for All
Top Stories
China Trip Verdict: Obama Was Schooled
OUR TAKE
Eric Lotke: "While Obama posed for photos on the Great Wall and talked about a relationship 'at an all-time high,' China continues to take our lunch money." Read more »
Scott Paul: "I'm completely underwhelmed with the results of the president's trip, especially with so much at stake." Read more »
AUDIO: The chair of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, Carolyn Bartholomew, and the president of the Economic Strategy Institute, Clyde Prestowitz, discuss the economic impact of Obama's trip and the policies we should push for. Listen »
Read our series on Obama's China Challenge »
Featured Issues
What We Want From A White House Jobs Summit
The announcement of a White House jobs summit offers an opportunity to reset the political conversation on building an enduring recovery for the 17.5 percent of Americans who are unemployed and underemployed. It matters where that conversation starts: with congressional action to create jobs immediately and a long-term plan for public-investment-led growth, with the centerpiece being featuring a bold commitment to the transition to new energy.... more »
The Next Financial Crisis
Our banks have gotten into the habit of needing to be rescued through repeated bailouts. During this crisis, Bernanke — while saving the financial system in the short term — has done nothing to break this long-term pattern; worse, he exacerbated it. As a result, unless real reform happens soon, we face the prospect of another bubble-bust-bailout cycle that will be even more dangerous than the one we’ve just been through.... more »
Building a Smart Grid, Smartly
By Eric Lotke
October 27th, 2009
President Barack Obama announced today $3.4 billion in government grants to help build a "smart" electric grid. Like many Obama initiatives, it’s a smart first step. But much more is needed and one piece is rarely mentioned at all. more »
The Case
Why An Economy for All?
Conservatives call the state of the economy the “greatest story never told,” but in reality it’s an economy reminiscent of the Gilded Age. The myth of a booming economy does not reflect the everyday experiences of working-class Americans. In fact, most Americans see the nation either in or near a recession. We need a broad reassessment of our economic policies.more »
Minimum Wage Hike: Stimulus When We Need It
On July 24, the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 an hour. At a time when getting money into the hands of workers—and thus consumers—is key to jump-starting the economy, a 10.7 percent wage increase will mean $1.6 billion in extra purchasing power for the estimated 4.5 million workers directly affected by the increase. more »
The Facts
Manufacturing Jobs Decline 17% Past Seven Years
Between 2001 and 2007, more 3 million manufacturing workers lost their jobs—a 17 percent decline.
Unfair Taxes, Benefit Wealthy, Hurt Middle Class
Today, the top federal income-tax rate for ordinary income is 35 percent, meaning that earned income is taxed at a rate 2 1/3 higher than income from capital gains
The News
Fisker to Make Plug-in Hybrids at Former G.M. Plant
October 26th, 2009
4.5 Million 'Net' Green Jobs in America Possible by 2030
October 26th, 2009
The Case
Faster, Please
Democrats in Congress should focus on enacting job measures and health reforms that show voters immediate progress.more »
The Critical Unraveling of U.S. Society
The economic elite have launched an attack on the U.S. public and society is unraveling at an increased rate. You may have missed it in the mainstream news media, but statistical societal indicators are reading red across the board. Let's look at the top 15 statistics that prove we are under attack.more »
Latest from our Bloggers
nov
23
2009
2:04 pm
2:04 pm
In pledging to push for congressional passage of a U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, President Obama is showing his inexperience as well as the "no change we can believe in" attitudes of his economic advisers.
nov
23
2009
1:56 pm
1:56 pm
A really smart student intern I’ve had the privilege of working with (Jonathan Flack, GWU 2010) asked a really stupid question. “Why,” he asked, “Do we give China everything it wants? Why don’t we challenge them?” more »
nov
22
2009
11:30 am
11:30 am
Don't expect an answer from the ranters and ravers who frequent 'Tea Parties' — or the politicians who egg them on.more »
nov
20
2009
10:49 am
10:49 am
There was a major victory for accountability this week in the financial reform fight, but there was also a demonstration that when it comes to protecting the profits of bankers at the expense of ordinary people, no institution does it better than the Party of No. more »
nov
19
2009
11:04 am
11:04 am
President Obama is home from China and the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission today releases its 2009 report to Congress. What have we learned? That we need to pay attention because we’re getting schooled. more »
nov
18
2009
3:05 pm
3:05 pm
What has the potential to save more lives, the insurance reforms in the House health care bill or the higher taxes on the rich the bill imposes to pay for those reforms? This rather odd question, suggests a new study on inequality and health, really does merit asking.more »
nov
18
2009
2:57 pm
2:57 pm
The country needs a jobs program and needs it right now. Cash for Caulkers would be a good start. A new Civilian Conservation Corps would be another. But let's not allow a jobs program to cover over the need for real changes in the structure and core principles of our economy. more »
nov
18
2009
12:35 pm
12:35 pm
This post is an excerpt of testimony presented to the Senate Agriculture Committee on November 18, 2009 in a hearing on legislation reforming regulation of financial markets. The testimony was presented on behalf of Americans for Financial Reform. more »
